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Google Cardboard Review

Review of Google Cardboard powered by the Slant community.

It may not be your high end gaming VRE headset, but with just a few pieces of cardboard and a phone (Nexus 5 should be but you can adapt), you'll get a fully working VR headset with audio, gyroscope, 3D, etc. That little metal ring on the side is actually a trigger (using the Nexus 5 magnetic sensor).

Google Cardboard is more of a standard than a single product. It started with a cardboard box with glass lenses and a slot to hold your phone, but now there are many different hardware solutions that are all just as capable as the next.

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Pros

Pro

Very low barrier to entry

Google Cardboard was specifically designed to make it easy to try out VR. The cost is low, and virtually any phone you have in your pocket today can power it. Content is even available on the Google Play Store - it can't get any simpler than that.

Pro

Works with any Android phone

Depending on the version of cardboard, there may be some size limitations which limit your options. However, if you aren't picky about the hardware phones from 4" all the way to 7" are supported.

Cons

Con

Requires an Android phone

The low price is somewhat deceptive, since it does require an Android phone to work. However, you might already have one.

Con

Your experience will vary

Older hardware won't perform admirably, whether it be the SoC (system on a chip), display (resolution as well as sub-pixel arrangement make a huge impact on display quality for VR), or battery life (VR takes a lot of power).

Con

Very basic

Google Cardboard was Google's way of generating interest for phone powered VR, and is literally just a piece of cardboard (or plastic) and glass lenses. The software is integrated into the Google Play Store, and Google more-or-less put Cardboard out there to see what developers would do with it. Later in 2016, Google will be making their next push forward with Daydream which will be a more modern, well thought through platform.

Con

The official box is for Nexus 5 only

Even though you may apply the technique to other phones, the prebuilt one is only working well with Nexus 5 because of the screen size, NFC sensor, camera position, and magnetic sensor. However all of these are optional and it'll work as long as your phone screen size is roughly 5 inches.

[Additional Information:] Many phones can fit with minimal modifications to the Cardboard.